Therapeutic antisense phosphodiesterase inhibitors

ABSTRACT

This patent describes the invention of a series of novel therapeutic oligonucleotides targeted at inhibiting expression of genes coding for Phosphodiesterase 4. They are useful as analytical tools in the study of individual PDE isoforms and in the therapeutic treatment of depression, thrombosis, cystic fibrosis, gastric lesions, pulmonary hypertension, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, atopic dermatitis, asthma and other allergic disorders as well as other illnesses in which an increase of cyclic AMP or a decrease in phosphodiesterase levels is useful.

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of our earlier filed application Ser. No. 09/223,586, filed Dec. 30, 1998, to which we claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The enzyme phosphodiesterase (PDE), along with adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase, are enzymes responsible for maintaining the correct balance of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in cells. There are multiple distinct phosphodiesterases (PDE 1 through PDE 9), most of which exist as two or more isozymes or splice variants that can differ in their cellular distribution, specificity toward hydrolysis of cAMP or cGMP, selective inhibition by various compounds, and sensitivity to regulation by calcium, calmodulin, cAMP, and cGMP (J. A. Beavo in Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases: Structure, Regulation and Drug Action. Multiple Phosphodiesterase Isozymes: Background, Nomenclature, and Implications. Eds. Beavo, J. and Houslay, M. D., John Wiley and Son, New York, 1990, pp. 3-15 and T. J. Torphy et al., “Novel Phosphodiesterases Inhibitors for the Therapy of Asthma”, Drug News & Prospective, 6(4) May 1993, pp. 203-214). The PDE4 family, which is specific for cAMP, is composed of at least 4 isozymes (a-d), and multiple splice variants (Houslay, M. D., et al. in Advances in Pharmacology 44, Eds. J. August et al., p.225, 1998). In total, there may be over 20 PDE4 isoforms expressed in a cell specific pattern regulated by a number of different promoters.

[0003] PDE4 is present in the brain and major inflammatory cells and has been found in abnormally elevated levels in a number of diseases including atopic dermatitis or eczema, asthma, and hay fever (ASTI Connections, Vol. 8 #1 (1996) p. 3 and J. of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 70:452-457,1982). Disease states for which selective PDE4 inhibitors have been sought include: asthma, atopic dermatitis, depression, reperfusion injury, septic shock, toxic shock, endotoxic shock, adult respiratory distress syndrome, autoimmune diabetes, diabetes insipidus, multi-infarct dementia, AIDS, cancer, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral ischemia, psoriasis, allograft rejection, restenosis, ulcerative colitis, cachexia, cerebral malaria, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic bronchitis, eosinophilic granuloma, and autoimmune encephalomyelitis (Houslay et al., 1998). In individuals suffering from atopic diseases, elevated PDE4 activity can be detected in their peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes, T cells, mast cells, neutrophils and basophils. This increased PDE activity decreases cAMP levels and results in a breakdown of cAMP control in these cells, which in turn results in increased immune response in the blood and tissues of affected individuals.

[0004] PDE inhibitors influence multiple functional pathways, act on multiple immune and inflammatory pathways, and influence synthesis or release of numerous immune mediators (J. M. Hanifin and S. C. Chan, “Atopic Dermatitis-Therapeutic Implication for New Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors, Monocyte Dysregulation of T Cells” in AACI News, 7/2, 1995; J. M. Hanifin et al., “Type 4 Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors Have Clinical and In Vitro Anti-inflammatory Effects in Atopic Dermatitis,” J. of Invest. Derm., 1996, 107.51-56 and Cohen, V. L. in INC's 7th Annual Conference on Asthma and Allergy (Oct. 27-28, 1997)—Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors: Second Generation and Beyond). Clinical use of inhibitors of PDE4 have shown them to be broad spectrum anti-inflammatory agents with impressive activity in models of asthma and other allergic disorders, including atopic dermatitis and hay fever. PDE4 inhibitors that have been used clinically include theophylline, rolipram, denbufylline, CDP 840 (a tri-aryl ethane) and CP80633 (a pyrimidone). PDE4 inhibitors have been shown to influence eosinophil responses, decrease basophil histamine release, decrease IgE, PGE2, and IL10 synthesis, and decrease anti-CD3 stimulated IL4 production.

[0005] All of the PDE4 inhibitors developed to date have been small molecule compounds which exhibit central nervous system and gastrointestinal effects. Although the first generation of PDE4 inhibitors have been effective in reducing PDE4 activity and alleviating a number of the inflammatory problems caused by overexpression of this enzyme, their effectiveness has been limited by mechanism related side effects and none of them can be used systemically because of nausea and vomiting (ASTI Connections, Vol. 8 #1 (1996) p. 3 and Hanifin reference and Cohen, V. L. in INC's 7th Annual Conference on Asthma and Allergy (Oct. 27-28, 1997)—Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitors: Second Generation and Beyond).

[0006] Oligonucleotide therapy, i.e., the use of oligonucleotides to modulate the expression of specific genes, offers an opportunity to selectively modify the expression of genes without the undesirable non-specific toxic effects of more traditional therapeutics. The use of antisense oligonucleotides has emerged as a powerful new approach for the treatment of many diseases. The preponderance of the work to date has focused on the use of antisense oligonucleotides as antiviral agents or as anticancer agents (Wickstrom, E., Ed., Prospects for Antisense Nucleic Acid Therapy of Cancer and AIDS, New York: Wiley-Liss, 1991; Crooke, S. T., and Lebleu, B., Eds., Antisense Research and Applications, Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1993, pp. 154-182; Baserga, R., and Denhardt, D. T., 1992, Antisense Strategies, New York: The New York Academy of Sciences, Vol. 660; Murray, J. A. H., Ed., Antisense RNA and DNA, New York: Wiley-Liss, 1993, Agrawal et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:7079-7083 (1988), Zamecnik et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83:4143-4146 (1986)).

[0007] There is a need to develop a therapeutic agent for modulating PDE4 that is effective but does not possess the side effects of the current PDE4 inhibitors. There is thus a need for a bioavailable, non-toxic therapeutic agent that specifically modulates PDE4.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides end-blocked acid resistant nucleic acids, e.g., end-blocked 2′-O-alkyl and 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl) oligonucleotides, for use in modulating PDE4 activity, either in vivo or in vitro. These PDE4 oligonucleotides exhibit substantial stability at low pH, substantial resistance to nuclease degradation, and binding specificity both in vivo and in vitro.

[0009] The oligonucleotides may be either ribonucleotides and/or deoxyribonucleotides, and may be targeted to DNA sequences involved in the expression of PDE4 (e.g., coding sequences, promoter sequences, enhancer sequences, etc.) or to PDE4 mRNA. These low toxicity, highly specific, acid stable, end-blocked nucleic acids represent an improved nucleic acid structure for therapeutic treatments of PDE4-mediated diseases. The 3′ or 3′ and 5′ acid stable, nuclease resistant ends confer improved bioavailability by increasing nuclease resistance.

[0010] The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprised of oligonucleotides of the invention. These pharmaceutical compositions may include any pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical composition may also include additives such as adjuvants, stabilizers, fillers and the like.

[0011] The invention also provides methods of treating a patient in need of such treatment with a therapeutically effective amount of an oligonucleotide targeted to PDE4. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a series of antisense oligonucleotides targeted to mRNAs encoding different PDE4 isozymes. The therapeutic effectiveness of an oligonucleotide targeted against PDE4D is demonstrated herein using data from preliminary human trials.

[0012] The invention also comprises methods of reducing the activity of one or more PDE4 enzyme comprising treating a patient with one or more antisense oligonucleotides. Preferably the oligonucleotide is targeted to mRNA coding for PDE4.

[0013] It is an advantage of the oligonucleotides of the invention that the acid stable ends confer an improved stability on the modified nucleic acids in an acidic environment (e.g., the stomach, with a pH of 1 to 2), and thus increase bioavailability of the oligonucleotides in vivo.

[0014] It is another advantage of the nucleic acids of the invention that they bind with specificity to PDE4 target sequences in vivo and in vitro.

[0015] It is another advantage of the invention that the end-blocked nucleic acids are non-toxic to a subject treated with the modified nucleic acids. The modified nucleic acids of the present invention, e.g., 2′-O-alkyl and 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl) oligonucleotides, do not display side effects commonly caused by therapeutic administration of regular polyanionic oligonucleotides, such as increased binding to serum and other proteins, stimulation of serum transaminases, decreases in platelet counts, and the like.

[0016] It is yet another advantage that the acid stable ends confer an improved stability on the PDE4 oligonucleotides in the acid environments of lysosomal vesicles in macrophages and neutrophils.

[0017] It is a further advantage that the PDE4 oligonucleotides of the present invention are readily encapsulated in charged liposomes.

[0018] It is a further advantage that the PDE4 oligonucleotides have low toxicity, i.e., mice parenterally treated with a PDE4 oligonucleotide of the invention exhibit an LD₅₀ of less than one at 400 mg/ll.

[0019] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the details of the nucleic acids and uses thereof as more fully described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Before the present invention is described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, cell lines, animal species or genera, constructs, and reagents described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which will be limited only by the appended claims.

[0021] It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “and”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a construct” includes a plurality of such constructs and reference to “the oligonucleotide” includes reference to one or more oligonucleotides and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

[0022] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices and materials are now described.

[0023] All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the cell lines, constructs, and methodologies that are described in the publications which might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications discussed above and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

[0024] The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

DEFINITIONS

[0025] The terms “nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid molecule” as used interchangeably herein, refer to a molecule comprised of nucleotides, i.e., ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, or both. The term includes monomers and polymers of ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides, with the ribonucleotide and/or deoxyribonucleotides being connected together, in the case of the polymers, via 5′ to 3′ linkages. However, linkages may include any of the linkages known in the nucleic acid synthesis art including, for example, nucleic acids comprising 5′ to 2′ linkages. The nucleotides used in the nucleic acid molecule may be naturally occurring or may be synthetically produced analogues that are capable of forming base-pair relationships with naturally occurring base pairs. Examples of non-naturally occurring bases that are capable of forming base-pairing relationships include, but are not limited to, aza and deaza pyrimidine analogues, aza and deaza purine analogues, and other heterocyclic base analogues, wherein one or more of the carbon and nitrogen atoms of the purine and pyrimidine rings have been substituted by heteroatoms, e.g., oxygen, sulfur, selenium, phosphorus, and the like.

[0026] The term “oligonucleotide” as used herein refers to a nucleic acid molecule comprising from about 1 to about 100 nucleotides, more preferably from 1 to 80 nucleotides, and even more preferably from about 4 to about 35 nucleotides.

[0027] The term “PDE4 oligonucleotide” as used herein refers to an oligonucleotide that is targeted to sequences that affect PDE4 expression or activity. These include, but are not limited to, PDE4 DNA coding sequences, PDE4 DNA promoter sequences, PDE4 DNA enhancer sequences, mRNA encoding PDE4, and the like.

[0028] The terms “modified oligonucleotide” and “modified nucleic acid molecule” as used herein refer to nucleic acids, including oligonucleotides, with one or more chemical modifications at the molecular level of the natural molecular structures of all or any of the nucleic acid bases, sugar moieties, internucleoside phosphate linkages, as well as molecules having added substituents, such as diamines, cholesteryl or other lipophilic groups, or a combination of modifications at these sites. The intemucleoside phosphate linkages can be phosphodiester, phosphotriester, phosphoramidate, siloxane, carbonate, carboxymethylester, acetamidate, carbamate, thioether, bridged phosphorarnidate, bridged methylene phosphonate, phosphorothioate, methylphosphonate, phosphorodithioate, bridged phosphorothioate and/or sulfone internucleotide linkages, or 3′-3′, 2′-5′ or 5′-5′ linkages, and combinations of such similar linkages (to produce mixed backbone modified oligonucleotides). The modifications can be internal (single or repeated) or at the end(s) of the oligonucleotide molecule and can include additions to the molecule of the intemucleoside phosphate linkages, such as cholesteryl, diamine compounds with varying numbers of carbon residues between amino groups and terminal ribose, deoxyribose and phosphate modifications which cleave or cross-link to the opposite chains or to associated enzymes or other proteins. Electrophilic groups such as ribose-dialdehyde could covalently link with an epsilon amino group of the lysyl-residue of such a protein. A nucleophilic group such as n-ethylmaleimide tethered to an oligomer could covalently attach to the 5′ end of an mRNA or to another electrophilic site. The term modified oligonucleotides also includes oligonucleotides comprising modifications to the sugar moieties such as 2′-substituted ribonucleotides, or deoxyribonucleotide monomers, any of which are connected together via 5′ to 3′ linkages. Modified oligonucleotides may also be comprised of PNA or morpholino modified backbones where target specificity of the sequence is maintained.

[0029] The term “nucleic acid backbone” as used herein refers to the structure of the chemical moiety linking nucleotides in a molecule. This may include structures formed from any and all means of chemically linking nucleotides. A modified backbone as used herein includes modifications to the chemical linkage between nucleotides, as well as other modifications that may be used to enhance stability and affinity, such as modifications to the sugar structure. For example an α-anomer of deoxyribose may be used, where the base is inverted with respect to the natural β-anomer. In a preferred embodiment, the 2′-OH of the sugar group may be altered to 2′-O-alkyl or 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl), which provides resistance to degradation without comprising affinity.

[0030] The term “acidification” and “protonation/acidification” as used interchangeably herein refers to the process by which protons (or positive hydrogen ions) are added to proton acceptor sites on a nucleic acid. The proton acceptor sites include the amine groups on the base structures of the nucleic acid and the phosphate of the phosphodiester linkages. As the pH is decreased, the number of these acceptor sites which are protonated increases, resulting in a more highly protonated/acidified nucleic acid.

[0031] The term “protonated/acidified nucleic acid” refers to a nucleic acid that, when dissolved in water at a concentration of approximately 16 A₂₆₀ per ml, has a pH lower than physiological pH, i.e., lower than approximately pH 7. Modified nucleic acids, nuclease-resistant nucleic acids, and antisense nucleic acids are meant to be encompassed by this definition. Generally, nucleic acids are protonated/acidified by adding protons to the reactive sites on a nucleic acid, although other modifications that will decrease the pH of the nucleic acid can also be used and are intended to be encompassed by this term.

[0032] The term “end-blocked” as used herein refers to a nucleic acid with a chemical modification at the molecular level that prevents the degradation of selected nucleotides, e.g., by nuclease action. This chemical modification is positioned such that it protects the integral portion of the nucleic acid, for example the coding region of an antisense oligonucleotide. An end block may be a 3′ end block or a 5′ end block. For example, a 3′ end block may be at the 3′-most position of the molecule, or it may be internal to the 3′ ends, provided it is 3′ of the integral sequences of the nucleic acid.

[0033] The term “substantially nuclease resistant” refers to nucleic acids that are resistant to nuclease degradation, as compared to naturally occurring or unmodified nucleic acids. Modified nucleic acids of the invention are at least 1.25 times more resistant to nuclease degradation than their unmodified counterpart, more preferably at least 2 times more resistant, even more preferably at least 5 times more resistant, and most preferably at least 10 times more resistant than their unmodified counterpart. Such substantially nuclease resistant nucleic acids include, but are not limited to, nucleic acids with modified backbones such as phosphorothioates, methylphosphonates, ethylphosphotriesters, 2′-0-methylphosphorothioates, 2′-O-methyl-p-ethoxy ribonucleotides, 2′-O-alkyls, 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl), 3′-O-alkyls, 3′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl), 2′-fluoros, 2′-deoxy-erythropentofuranosyls, 2′-O-methyl ribonucleosides, methyl carbamates, methyl carbonates, inverted bases (e.g., inverted T's), or chimeric versions of these backbones.

[0034] The term “substantially acid resistant” as used herein refers to nucleic acids that are resistant to acid degradation as compared to unmodified nucleic acids. Typically, the relative acid resistance of a nucleic acid will be measured by comparing the percent degradation of a resistant nucleic acid with the percent degradation of its unmodified counterpart (i.e., a corresponding nucleic acid with “normal” backbone, bases, and phosphodiester linkages). A nucleic acid that is acid resistant is preferably at least 1.5 times more resistant to acid degradation, at least 2 times more resistant, even more preferably at least 5 times more resistant, and most preferably at least 10 times more resistant than their unmodified counterpart.

[0035] The term “LD₅₀” as used herein is the dose of an active substance that will result in 50 percent lethality in all treated experimental animals. Although this usually refers to invasive administration, such as oral, parenteral, and the like, it may also apply to toxicity using less invasive methods of administration, such as topical applications of the active substance.

[0036] The term “alkyl” as used herein refers to a branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon chain containing 1-6 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, tert-butyl, n-hexyl and the like.

[0037] The term “sensitivity” as used herein refers to the relative strength of recognition of a nucleic acid by a binding partner, e.g., an oligonucleotide complementary to the nucleic acids of interest, i.e., PDE4. The recognition of the binding partner to the sequence of interest must be significantly greater than the recognition of background sequences, and preferably the strength of recognition of the binding partner is at least 10 times, more preferably at least 100 times greater, and even more preferably at least 500 times greater than recognition of background proteins.

[0038] The term “selectivity” as used herein refers to the preferential binding of a binding partner to a particular nucleic acid sequence. Preferably, a selective binding partner is at least 10 times, more preferably 100 times, and even more preferably 1000 times more likely to bind to its designated polynucleotide sequence than to any other background sequence.

[0039] The terms “treatment”, “treating” and the like are used herein to generally mean obtaining a desired pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect. The effect may be prophylactic in terms of completely or partially preventing a disease or symptom thereof and/or may be therapeutic in terms of a partial or complete cure for a disease and/or adverse effect attributable to the disease. “Treatment” as used herein covers any treatment of a disease in a mammal, particularly a human, and includes:

[0040] (a) preventing a disease from occurring in a subject which may be predisposed to the disease but has not yet been diagnosed as having it;

[0041] (b) inhibiting a disease, i.e., arresting its development; or

[0042] (c) relieving a disease, i.e., causing regression of the disease. The invention is generally directed toward treating patients by the administration of a nucleic acid sequence that will modulate expression of an endogenous gene in vivo.

[0043] By “therapeutically effective” amount is meant a nontoxic but sufficient amount of a compound to provide the desired therapeutic effect, in the present case, that dose of modified nucleic acid which will be effective in relieving, ameliorating, or preventing symptoms of the condition or disease being treated.

GENERAL ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0044] The concept of antisense has been well developed and a number of different antisense therapeutic drugs are in or have completed clinical trials. Antisense therapeutic compounds are oligonucleotides, preferably nuclease resistant, complementary to the mRNA coding for a particular protein. Antisense oligonucleotides generally interfere with the transcription or translation of the targeted gene and thereby reduce expression of the target gene. Because of the great specificity that is possible with antisense there are far fewer, if any, side affects.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the invention uses either neutral or protonated/acidified oligonucleotides that are substantially nuclease resistant. This embodiment includes oligonucleotides completely or partially derivatized by phosphorothioate linkages, 2′-deoxy-erythropentofuranosyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-alkyl or 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl) phosphodiesters, p-ethoxy oligonucleotides, p-isopropyl oligonucleotides, phosporamidates, chimeric linkages, and any other backbone modifications. This embodiment also includes other modifications that render the oligonucleotides substantially resistant to endogenous nuclease activity. Additional methods of rendering an oligonucleotide nuclease resistant include, but are not limited to, covalently modifying the purine or pyrimidine bases that comprise the oligonucleotide. For example, bases may be methylated, hydroxymethylated, or otherwise substituted (e.g., glycosylated) such that the oligonucleotides comprising the modified bases are rendered substantially nuclease resistant.

[0046] In order to enhance the exonuclease resistance of the oligonucleotides of the invention, the 3′ and/or 5′ ends of the nucleic acid sequence are preferably attached to an exonuclease blocking function. For example, one or more phosphorothioate nucleotides can be placed at either end of the oligoribonucleotide. Additionally, one or more inverted bases can be placed on either end of the oligonucleotide, or one or more alkyl moieties, e.g., butanol-substituted nucleotides or chemical groups can be placed on one or more ends of the oligonucleotide. 5′ and 3′ end blocking groups may include one or more phosphorothioate nucleotides (but typically fewer than six), inverted base linkages, or alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynl groups or substituted nucleotides or 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl). A partial list of blocking groups includes inverted bases, dideoxynucleotides, methylphosphates, alkyl groups, aryl groups, cordycepin, cytosine arabanoside, 2′-methoxy, ethoxy nucleotides, phosphoramidates, a peptide linkage, dinitrophenyl group, 2′- or 3′-O-methyl bases with phosphorothioate linkages, 3′-O-methyl bases, fluorescein, cholesterol, biotin, acridine, rhodamine, psoralen, glyceryl, methyl phosphonates, a hexa-ethyloxy-glycol, butanol, hexanol, and 3′-O-alkyls. An enzyme-resistant butanol preferably has the structure OH-CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂ (4-hydroxybutyl) which is also referred to as a C4 spacer.

[0047] Typically, the relative nuclease resistance of a nucleic acid can be measured by comparing the percent digestion of a resistant nucleic acid with the percent digestion of its unmodified counterpart (i.e., a corresponding nucleic acid with “normal” backbone, bases, and phosphodiester linkage). Percent degradation may be determined by using analytical HPLC to assess the loss of full length nucleic acids, or by any other suitable methods (e.g., by visualizing the products on a sequencing gel using staining, autoradiography, fluorescence, etc., or measuring a shift in optical density). Degradation is generally measured as a function of time.

[0048] Comparison between unmodified and modified nucleic acids can be made by ratioing the percentage of intact modified nucleic acid to the percentage of intact unmodified nucleic acid.

[0049] For example, if, after 15 minutes of exposure to a nuclease, 25% (i.e., 75% degraded) of an unmodified nucleic acid is intact, and 50% (i.e., 50% degraded) of a modified nucleic acid is intact, the modified nucleic acid is said to be 2 times (50% divided by 25%) more resistant to nuclease degradation than is the unmodified nucleic acid. Generally, a substantially nuclease resistant nucleic acid will be at least about 1.25 times more resistant to nuclease degradation than an unmodified nucleic acid with a corresponding sequence, typically at least about 1.5 times more resistant, preferably about 2 times more resistant, more preferably at least about 5 times more resistant, and even more preferably at least about 10 times more resistant after 15 minutes of nuclease exposure.

[0050] Percent acid degradation may be determined by using analytical HPLC to assess the loss of full length nucleic acids, or by any other suitable methods (e.g., by visualizing the products on a sequencing gel using staining, autoradiography, fluorescence, etc., or measuring a shift in optical density). Degradation is generally measured as a function of time.

[0051] Comparison between unmodified and modified nucleic acids can be made by ratioing the percentage of intact modified nucleic acid to the percentage of intact unmodified nucleic acid. For example, if, after 30 minutes of exposure to a low pH environment, 25% (i.e., 75% degraded) of an unmodified nucleic acid is intact, and 50% (i.e., 50% degraded) of a modified nucleic acid is intact, the modified nucleic acid is said to be 2 times (50% divided by 25%) more resistant to nuclease degradation than is the unmodified nucleic acid. Generally, substantially “acid resistant” nucleic acids will be at least about 1.25 times more resistant to acid degradation than an unmodified nucleic acid with a corresponding sequence, typically at least about 1.5 times more resistant, preferably about 1.75 more resistant, more preferably at least 5 times more resistant and even more preferably at least about 10 times more resistant after 30 minutes of exposure at 37° C. to a pH of about 1.5 to about 4.5.

[0052] Acidification of nucleic acids is the process by which protons (or hydrogen atoms) are added to the reactive sites on a nucleic acid. As the pH is decreased, the number of reactive sites protonated increases and the result is a more highly protonated/acidified nucleic acid. As the pH of the nucleic acid decreases, its bacterial inhibiting activity increases. Accordingly, the nucleic acids of the invention are protonated/acidified to give a pH when dissolved in water of less than pH 7 to about pH 1, or in preferred embodiments, pH 6 to about 1 or pH 5 to about 1. In other preferred embodiments, the dissolved nucleic acids have a pH from pH 4.5 to about 1 or, in a preferred embodiment, a pH of 4.0 to about 1, or, in a more preferred embodiment, a pH of 3.0 to about 1, or, in another preferred embodiment, a pH of 2.0 to about 1.

[0053] A first aspect of the present invention is a method of treating a patient requiring such treatment comprising administering one or more oligonucleotide(s) targeted to hybridize with one or more of the appropriate PDE4 mRNA(s) in a therapeutically effective amount. In a second aspect, the present invention is a method of treating a patient requiring such treatment comprising administering one or more oligonucleotide(s) targeted to hybridize with one or more of the appropriate PDE4 mRNA(s) in an amount effective to reduce expression of one or more of the PDE4 enzymes. Preferably, the antisense oligonucleotides are in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The targeted PDE4 gene sequence or sequences are selected from the group consisting of the PDE4 genes, their isozymes and their splice variants.

[0054] The methods and compositions of the invention are useful as analytical tools in the study of individual PDE isoforms and in therapeutic treatment. The methods and compositions of the invention are useful for treating various diseases or disorders, including but not limited to: asthma, hay fever, atopic dermatitis, depression, reperfusion injury, septic shock, toxic shock, endotoxic shock, adult respiratory distress syndrome, autoimmune diabetes, diabetes insipidus, multi-infarct dementia, AIDS, cancer, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral ischemia, psoriasis, allograft rejection, restenosis, ulcerative colitis, cachexia, cerebral malaria, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic bronchitis, eosinophilic granuloma, and autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Particular embodiments of the present invention are directed towards the treatment of the above diseases.

[0055] Optionally, the presently described oligonucleotides may be formulated with a variety of physiological carrier molecules. The presently described oligonucleotides may also be complexed with molecules that enhance their ability to enter the target cells. Examples of such molecules include, but are not limited to, carbohydrates, polyamines, amino acids, peptides, lipids, and molecules vital to cell growth. For example, the oligonucleotides may be combined with a lipid, the resulting oligonucleotide/lipid emulsion, or liposomal suspension may, inter alia, effectively increase the in vivo half-life of the oligonucleotide. The use of cationic, anionic, and/or neutral lipid compositions or liposomes is generally described in International Publications Nos. WO 90/14074, WO 91/16024, WO 91/17424, U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,355, herein incorporated by reference.

[0056] Alternatively, oligonucleotides directed at PDE targets may also be protonated/acidified to function in a dual role as phosphodiesterase inhibitors and antibacterial agents. Accordingly, another embodiment of the presently described invention is the use of a PDE modulating therapeutic oligonucleotide that is additionally protonated/acidified to increase cellular uptake, improve encapsulation in liposomes, so it can also serve as an antibiotic.

[0057] Additionally, the oligonucleotide may be complexed with a variety of well established compounds or structures that, for instance, further enhance the in vivo stability of the oligonucleotide, or otherwise enhance its pharmacological properties (e.g., increase in vivo half-life, reduce toxicity, etc.).

[0058] Selection of Antisense Oligonucleotides

[0059] Antisense oligonucleotides may be targeted to particular functional domains of a gene or mRNA transcript. The potential targets include, but are not limited to, regulatory regions, the 5′-untranslated region, the translational start site, the translational termination site, the 3′-untranslated region, exon/intron boundaries and splice sites, as well as sequences internal to the coding region.

[0060] As a first step in the selection of a target domain within the target gene, the target gene, pre-mRNA, or mRNA sequence is examined for the presence of homopolymer runs (4 or more bases in a row) within the target sequence, the targeting of which should generally be avoided.

[0061] After selection of a target gene, marking the homopolymer runs, and identification of a target domain, a region of the pre-mRNA, mRNA or DNA sequence within that domain is analyzed. An analysis of the segment of the sequence extending approximately 5 to 100 bases or more upstream and downstream from a possible antisense target site is performed. The locations of potentially stable secondary structures are defined as stem-loop structures with predicted melting temperatures above 20° C. This analysis can be performed using commercially available software such as OLIGO 4.0 for Mac, or OligoTech. Sequences involved in stem hybridization for loop-stem secondary structure formation are regarded as part of the secondary structure and are treated as a structural unit for the purposes of analysis and selection of an antisense oligonucleotide. In one embodiment of this target selection technique, antisense oligonucleotides can be targeted to sequences of the gene, pre-mRNA, or mRNA with predicted secondary structure melting temperatures of less than 100° C. (according to the commercially available analysis programs). In a preferred embodiment, the secondary structure melting temperatures would be less than 60° C. In a further preferred embodiment, the secondary structure melting temperature would be less than 40° C. In a most preferred embodiment, secondary structure melting temperatures would be less than 20° C.

[0062] Oligonucleotide sequences with stable loop structures or which form stable dimers should be avoided. In one embodiment of this target selection technique, antisense oligonucleotides with predicted secondary structure melting temperatures of less than 100° C. (according to the commercially available analysis programs) are chosen. In a preferred embodiment the secondary structure melting temperatures would be less than 80° C. In a more preferred embodiment the secondary structure melting temperatures would be less than 60° C. In a further preferred embodiment the secondary structure melting temperatures would be less than 40° C. In the most preferred embodiment, the secondary structure melting temperature is less than 20° C. The formation of stable secondary or tertiary structure by the antisense oligonucleotides may potentially compete with their ability to bind to the target DNA or RNA. Similarly, formation of homodimers by the antisense oligonucleotides may compete with their ability to bind to target DNA or RNA. Homopolymer runs of a single base ideally will be three bases or less within the oligonucleotide sequence. Generally, within a target, those sequences with the lowest secondary structure melting temperatures (loop Tm), or no secondary structure work best.

[0063] Sequences of antisense oligonucleotides useful as compositions and in methods of the present invention include the following: Target Domain (Nucleotide Position #s) Antisense Oligonucleotide Sequence Target Gene: PDE4A (PDE4A) - - Acc# U68532 (SEQ ID NO: 46) 59-35 tta gag cag gtc tcg cag aag aaa t, (SEQ ID NO: 1) 569-545 agc gtc agc atg tat gtc acc atc g, (SEQ ID NO: 2) 886-862 gct tgc tga ggt tct gga aga tgt c, (SEQ ID NO: 3) 1541-1518 aga gct tcc tcg act cct gac aat, (SEQ ID NO: 4) 359-335 atg tta gag ttg ttc agg ctg tta c, (SEQ ID NO: 5) 398-374 agg agc tct tct tga tcg gtc ttc a, (SEQ ID NO: 6) 696-674 gag aat ctc cag gtc cgt gaa ca, (SEQ ID NO: 7) 1350-1333 ggc gct gta gta cca gtc, (SEQ ID NO: 8) 2797-2782 aca ggg aca gag gtc t, (SEQ ID NO: 9) 3445-3421 gac ttc tag tca gta tcg cca gga g, (SEQ ID NO: 10) Target Gene: PDE4B (PDE4B2B) -- Acc# L20971 (SEQ ID NO: 47) 720-696 aca aat cac agt ggt gct ctg cct g, (SEQ ID NO: 11) 1441-1417 ggt ctt cta aag tca tca tgt agg t, (SEQ ID NO: 12) 2185-2166 cta agg tat cga gaa tgt cc, (SEQ ID NO: 13) 2506-2482 cat gct cat caa gga tag aat gtt c, (SEQ ID NO: 14) 269-247 gac gtt tgg gtt ata taa tac ac, (SEQ ID NO: 15) 995-971 ttg tta gaa gcc atc tca ctg aca g, (SEQ ID NO: 16) 1787-1763 atg tca ata acc atc ttc ctg agt g, (SEQ ID NO: 17) 1889-1865 tct agg aga aga agc cct gaa ctt g, (SEQ ID NO: 18) 3254-3235 gag ttc tat gca gac tct ca, (SEQ ID NO: 19) 3951-3927 tca gta gtt cgg gag cat tca gaa g, (SEQ ID NO: 20) Target Gene: PDE4C (PDE4C1B) -- Acc# Z46632 (SEQ ID NO: 48) 119-102 ttc tcc atg cgc cag aga, (SEQ ID NO: 21) 532-515 cag agg agt tcc gag aca, (SEQ ID NO: 22) 1681-1664 cga ggc ttg tca cct tct, (SEQ ID NO: 23) 2255-2231 tgg ccc taa gtc ctc tgg ttg tcg a, (SEQ ID NO: 24) 69-52 gct tgg ctg ctc cta ggc, (SEQ ID NO: 25) 560-538 atg tcc tct cca tgt agg tcg ct, (SEQ ID NO: 26) 1140-1121 gtt ccc act tac gtc cgc ca, (SEQ ID NO: 27) 1360-1336 cca agt ctg tga aca cag cct cga g, (SEQ ID NO: 28) 2003-1979 cga ttg tcc tcc agc gtg tcc agc a, (SEQ ID NO: 29) 3095-3071 agt cat agc tct ctt cag cct cca a, (SEQ ID NO: 30) Target Gene: PDE4D (PDE4D2A) -- Acc# U50158 (SEQ ID NO: 49) 1683-1659 ttg cac tgt tac gtg tca gga gaa c, (SEQ ID NO: 31) 1672-1659 cgt gtc agg aga ac, (SEQ ID NO: 32) 1645-1621 aca ggc ttc agg ttg gct ttc ctc t, (SEQ ID NO: 33) 1127-1103 gag gct ttg ttg ggt tgc tca gat c, (SEQ ID NO: 34) 682-658 aga taa tag cac atg agt aga ctg g, (SEQ ID NO: 35) 154-130 cat ctc act gac gga gtg cct ggt c, (SEQ ID NO: 36) 609-592 taa tgg tct tcg aga gtc, (SEQ ID NO: 37) 822-798 ttg tac atc aag gca agt tca gag t, (SEQ ID NO: 38) 1046-1022 gaa gaa ctc cag agc ttg tca ctt t, (SEQ ID NO: 39) 791-767 tga tca gaa att gat tgg aca cac c, (SEQ ID NO: 40) 1371-1347 tgg tac cat tca cga ttg tcc tcc a, (SEQ ID NO: 41) Target Gene: PDE4D (PDE4D5A) -- Acc# AF012073 (SEQ ID NO: 50) 300-276 tct cgg aga gat cac tgg aga gag c, (SEQ ID NO: 42) 375-351 atg tgc cac cgt gaa acg ccg ctg t, (SEQ ID NO: 43) Target Gene: PDE4D (PDE4D3) -- Acc# L20970 (SEQ ID NO: 51) 95-76 tcc tac gtt aca tgt agt ga, (SEQ ID NO: 44) 178-159 cat atc cag gaa tgc ctt ct, (SEQ ID NO: 45)

[0064] In Vivo Testing of Oligonucleotides

[0065] When used in the therapeutic treatment of disease, an appropriate dosage of an antisense PDE oligonucleotide, or mixture thereof, may be determined by any of several well established methodologies. For instance, animal studies are commonly used to determine the maximal tolerable dose, or MTD, of bio-active agent per kilogram weight. In general, at least one of the animal species tested is mammalian. Those skilled in the art regularly extrapolate doses for efficacy and avoiding toxicity to other species, including human. Additionally, therapeutic dosages may also be altered depending upon factors such as the severity of infection and the size or species of the host.

[0066] Oligonucleotides are preferably administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, via oral, intranasal, rectal, topical, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intracranial, subdermal, transdermal, intratracheal methods, or the like.

[0067] For example, topical diseases are preferably treated or prevented by formulations designed for topical application. Alternately, where the targeted disease state is in the stomach or gut, preparations of oligonucleotides may be provided by oral dosing. Additionally, pulmonary sites of disease, e.g., asthma, may be treated both parenterally and by direct application of suitably formulated forms of the oligonucleotides to the lung by inhalation therapy.

[0068] Where suitably formulated oligonucleotides are administered parenterally, the oligonucleotides can accumulate to relatively high levels in the kidneys, liver, spleen, lymph glands, adrenal gland, aorta, pancreas, bone marrow, heart, and salivary glands. Oligonucleotides also tend to accumulate to a lesser extent in skeletal muscle, bladder, stomach, esophagus, duodenum, fat, and trachea. Still lower concentrations are typically found in the cerebral cortex, brain stem, cerebellum, spinal cord, cartilage, skin, thyroid, and prostate (see generally Crooke, 1993, Antisense Research and Applications, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.).

[0069] One of ordinary skill will appreciate that, from a medical practitioner's or patient's perspective, virtually any alleviation or prevention of an undesirable symptom would be desirable. Thus, the terms “treatment”, “therapeutic use”, or “medicinal use” used herein shall refer to any and all uses of the claimed oligonucleotides that remedy a disease state or symptoms, or otherwise prevent, hinder, retard, or reverse the progression of disease or other undesirable symptoms in any way whatsoever.

[0070] Preferably, animal hosts that may be treated using the oligonucleotides of the present invention include, but are not limited to, invertebrates, vertebrates, birds, mammals such as pigs, goats, sheep, cows, dogs, cats, and particularly humans. Oligonucleotides are designed to be appropriate to the particular animal to be treated.

[0071] Another embodiment of the presently described invention is the use of a therapeutic oligonucleotide that is additionally protonated/acidified so it can also serve as an antibiotic. Purified or crude nucleic acids can be protonated/acidified with acid, including but not limited to, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, etc. For example, acid may be combined with nucleic acids in solution, or alternatively, the nucleic acids may be dissolved in an acidic solution. Excess acid may be removed by chromatography or in some cases by drying the nucleic acid.

[0072] Other procedures to prepare protonated nucleic acids known to the skilled artisan are equally contemplated to be within the scope of the invention. Once the nucleic acids of the present invention have been protonated they may be separated from any undesired components such as excess acid. The skilled artisan would know of many ways to separate the oligonucleotides from undesired components. For example, the oligonucleotide solution may be subjected to chromatography following protonation. In a preferred embodiment, the oligonucleotide solution is run over a poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) based resin column (e.g., Hamilton's PRP or Polymer Labs' PLRP) following protonation.

[0073] The protonated/acidified nucleic acids can be used directly, or in a preferred embodiment, processed further to remove any excess acid and salt via precipitation, reverse phase chromatography, diafiltration, or gel filtration. The protonated/acidified oligos can be concentrated by precipitation, lyophilization, solvent evaporation, etc. When suspended in water or saline, the acidified nucleic acid preparations of the invention typically exhibit a pH between 0.5 and 4.5 depending upon 1) the level of protonation/acidification, which can be determined by how much acid is used in the acidification process, and 2) the concentration of the nucleic acid. Alternatively, nucleic acids can be protonated by passage over a cation exchange column charged with hydrogen ions.

[0074] It has been discovered that protonated oligonucleotides, in a sequence independent manner, exhibit antibacterial properties. The protonated oligonucleotides of the invention are protonated/acidified to give a pH when dissolved in water of less than pH 7 to about pH 1, or in preferred embodiments, pH 6 to about 1 or pH 5 to about 1. In other preferred embodiments, the dissolved nucleic acids have a pH from pH 4.5 to about 1 or, in a preferred embodiment, a pH of 4.0 to about 1, or, in a more preferred embodiment, a pH of 3.0 to about 1, or, in another preferred embodiment, a pH of 2.0 to about 1.

[0075] Pharmaceutical Compositions and Delivery

[0076] Oligonucleotides may be formulated with a variety of physiological carrier molecules for in vivo use. For example, the oligonucleotides may be combined with a lipid, cationic lipid, or anionic lipid (which may be preferred for protonated/acidified oligonucleotides) and the resulting oligonucleotide/lipid emulsion, or liposomal suspension may, inter alia, effectively increase the in vivo half-life of the oligonucleotide.

[0077] When used in the therapeutic treatment of disease, an appropriate dosage of a PDE4 modulating oligonucleotide, or mixture thereof, may be determined by any of several well established methodologies. For instance, animal studies are commonly used to determine the maximal tolerable dose, or MTD, of bio-active agent per kilogram weight. In general, at least one of the animal species tested is mammalian. Those skilled in the art regularly extrapolate doses for efficacy and avoiding toxicity to other species, including human. Additionally, therapeutic dosages may also be altered depending upon factors such as the severity of the disease, and the size or species of the host.

[0078] The use of protonated/acidified oligonucleotides facilitates their encapsulation in anionic lipids which are thought to have a number of advantages over cationic liposomes (R. J. Lee and L. Huang, “Lipidic Vector Systems for Gene Transfer”, in Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems 14(2):173-206 (1997)). Specifically, anionic liposomes are likely to be less toxic than cationic liposomes, they exhibit lower non-specific uptake, and they can be targeted with the appropriate ligands to specific cells.

[0079] Examples of suitable anionic lipids for use with protonated/acidified oligonucleotides include, but are not limited to, cardiolipin, dimyristoyl, dipalmitoyl, or dioleoyl phosphatidyl choline or phosphatidyl glycerol, palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidyl choline or phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl inositol, and anionic forms of cholesterol. The use of cationic, anionic, and/or neutral lipid compositions or liposomes is generally described in International Publications Nos. WO 90/14074, WO 91/16024, WO 91/17424, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,355, herein incorporated by reference.

[0080] By assembling oligonucleotides into lipid-associated structures, the oligonucleotides may be targeted to specific cell types by the incorporation of suitable targeting agents (i.e., specific antibodies or receptors) into the oligonucleotide/lipid complex.

[0081] Pharmaceutical compositions containing oligonucleotides of the invention in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier can be prepared according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. The carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration, e.g., intravenous, oral, topical, aerosol (for topical or inhalation therapy), suppository, parenteral, or spinal injection.

[0082] In preparing the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed, such as, for example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations (such as, for example, suspension, elixirs, and solutions); or carriers such as starches, sugars, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of oral solid preparations (such as, for example, powders, capsules and tablets). Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. If desired, tablets may be sugar-coated or enteric-coated by standard techniques.

[0083] For parenteral application by injection, preparations may comprise an aqueous solution of a water soluble, or solubilized, and pharmaceutically acceptable form of the oligonucleotide in an appropriate saline solution. Injectable suspensions may also be prepared using appropriate liquid carriers, suspending agents, agents for adjusting the isotonicity, preserving agents, and the like. Actual methods for preparing parenterally administrable compositions and adjustments necessary for administration to subjects will be shown or apparent to those skilled in the art and are described in more detail in, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Science, 15th Ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. (1980), which is incorporated herein by reference. The presently described oligonucleotides should be parenterally administered at concentrations below the maximal tolerable dose (MTD) established for the oligonucleotides.

[0084] For topical administration, the carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the preparation, which may be a cream, dressing, gel, lotion, ointment, or liquid.

[0085] Aerosols are prepared by dissolving or suspending the oligonucleotide in a propellant such as ethyl alcohol or in propellant and solvent phases. The pharmaceutical compositions for topical or aerosol form will generally contain from about 0.01% by weight (of the oligonucleotide) to about 40% by weight, preferably about (0.02% to about 10% by weight, and more preferably about 0.05% to about 5% by weight depending on the particular form employed.

[0086] Suppositories are prepared by mixing the oligonucleotide with a lipid vehicle such as theobroma oil, cacao butter, glycerin, gelatin, or polyoxyethylene glycols.

[0087] The presently described oligonucleotides may be administered to the body by virtually any means used to administer conventional therapeutics. A variety of delivery systems are well known in the art for delivering bioactive compounds to an animal. These systems include, but are not limited to, intravenous or intramuscular or intra-tracheal injection, nasal spray, aerosols for inhalation, and oral or suppository administration. The specific delivery system used depends on the location of the disease, and it is well within the skill of one in the art to determine the location of the disease and to select an appropriate delivery system.

EXAMPLES

[0088] The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the subject invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what is regarded as the invention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to the numbers used (e.g., amounts, temperature, concentrations, etc.) but some experimental errors and deviations should be allowed for. Unless otherwise indicated, parts are parts by weight, molecular weight is average molecular weight, temperature is in degrees centigrade, and pressure is at or near ambient.

Example 1 B Cell Mediated Dermatitis

[0089] An anti-inflammatory oligonucleotide, OE-2a (SEQ ID NO.: 32), is a 2′ O-methyl RNA phosphodiester linked, with 5′ and 3′ ends blocked with inverted Ts, and is targeted against the human PDE4 gene. OE-2a was dissolved at 3 5 mg/ml (7.7 μMolar) in water at approximately pH 3 and used to treat a 37 year old male with a history of severe recurrent atopic dermatitis. The dermatitis was specifically eradicated with OE-2a. In addition, fiture occurrences of atopic dermatitis have been completely eliminated.

[0090] A 37 year old male presented with severe atopic dermatitis, completely covering the inside of both forearms. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic disorder characterized by intensely pruritic inflamed papules. The inflammatory response is associated with over-production of IgE by B lymphocytes. Higher levels of PDE4 have been reported for individuals with atopic dermatitis. An antisense oligonucleotide, OE-2a, specifically targeted to PDE4 was applied to a 2″ by 3″ segment of the left forearm. A second oligo, OE-1, was applied to another segment of the same arm. OE-1 has a similar base distribution to OE-2a, but is homologous to a bacterial gene. Oligonucleotides were applied twice at 12 hour intervals.

[0091] OE-2a was successful at clearing the dermatitis on the area to which it was applied. OE-1 had no effect. The patient commented prior to the second treatment that the itching had stopped on the area corresponding to the OE-2a after about 6 hours.

[0092] Treatment on the second arm was initiated at this time exclusively with OE-2a. Again there were 2 treatments 12 hours apart. The patient remarked that all itching had ceased within 6 hours. The dermatitis was completely cleared within 12 hours of the second treatment.

[0093] There have been no recurrences of atopic dermatitis on this individual from February through December of a single year, although he typically suffers from recurring bouts during the heat of the summer.

Example 2 T Cell Mediated Dermatitis

[0094] OE-2a at 35 mg/ml (7.7 μMolar) in water at approximately pH 3 was used to treat a case of T cell mediated contact dermatitis triggered by poison ivy. The dermatitis was completely eliminated with 2 treatments, and secondary eruptions on other areas of the infected individual were prevented.

[0095] A female presented with poison ivy on several areas of the bottom of her foot. The patient complained of itching that is associated with T cell mediated type hypersensitivity. The contact dermatitis was characterized by redness, induration and vesiculation. The anti-inflammatory oligo OE-2a was applied to the bottom of the foot. Within 12 hours the patient noted that the intense itching had ceased. A second application of OE-2a resulted in a disappearance of the redness, induration, and vesiculation. It is of interest to note that topical application of OE-2a not only eliminated the visible poison ivy on the bottom of the foot, but also prevented any additional eruptions of poison ivy induced dermatitis elsewhere on the individual.

Example 3 Acute Wheal and Flare Reaction

[0096] OE-2a at 43.6 mg/ml (7.7 μMolar) and approximately pH 7 was able to prevent both an immediate and delayed-type hypersensitivity response when applied within minutes of receiving multiple wasp stings.

[0097] A female patient with a history of severe wheal and flare skin reaction in response to insect bites presented with an arm that had received multiple wasp stings. The patient was in severe pain and hysterical. OE-2a was administered immediately. Within 5 minutes the patient was calm and pain free. Remarkably, administration of the OE-2a within 5 minutes of receiving the stings completely prevented any immediate wheat and flare reaction, as well as any delayed reaction.

Example 4 Chemically Induced Dermatitis

[0098] OE-2a was successfully used to treat a case of chemically induced contact dermatitis that had failed to respond to standard dermatological treatments.

[0099] A 59 year old woman presented with a case of contact dermatitis on her neck triggered by a reaction to dry cleaning reagents in a turtle neck sweater. Over the course of a month she had been treated by a dermatologist with cortisone, antibiotics, and a variety of other topical drugs. The various treatments gave no more than temporary sporadic relief and they failed to eliminate the itching and redness. At this time the patient was treated topically with OE-2a. The itching and redness disappeared completely after two treatments with no recurrences over a 5 month period.

Example 5 Intranasal Administration of PDE-4

[0100] Several healthy male volunteers with severe allergic rhinitis were treated with OE-2a. The males ranged in age from 45 years old to 73 years old. The weights ranged from 175 pounds to 230 pounds. A sterile nasal spray container was filled with a solution containing OE-2a dissolved in normal saline. The solution of oligonucleotide in saline, at a concentration of concentration of approximately 300 A₂60 per ml, was administered via the intranasal route twice daily to each nostril. This dosage regime was continued for three days.

[0101] Upon examination, following the three day course of treatment, all volunteers were found to be completely free of all symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Specifically there was no nasal congestion, no nasal discharge, no sneezing, no difficulty breathing through the nose, and the nasal passages appeared to be completely clear. There has been no relapse of any of the symptoms of rhinitis since treatment schedule was completed, although the volunteers have continued to be exposed to the allergens that triggered the rhinitis. In conclusion, intranasal administration of PDE-4 dissolved in saline and administered via an intranasal spray appeared to cure allergic rhinitis in healthy male volunteers after only three days of treatment, with no further recurrences of the symptoms.

[0102] While the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

1 51 1 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 1 ttagagcagg tctcgcagaa gaaat 25 2 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 2 agcgtcagca tgtatgtcac catcg 25 3 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 3 gcttgctgag gttctggaag atgtc 25 4 24 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 4 agagcttcct cgactcctga caat 24 5 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 5 atgttagagt tgttcaggct gttac 25 6 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 6 aggagctctt cttgatcggt cttca 25 7 23 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 7 gagaatctcc aggtccgtga aca 23 8 18 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 8 ggcgctgtag taccagtc 18 9 16 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 9 acagggacag aggtct 16 10 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 10 gacttctagt cagtatcgcc aggag 25 11 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 11 acaaatcaca gtggtgctct gcctg 25 12 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 12 ggtcttctaa agtcatcatg taggt 25 13 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 13 ctaaggtatc gagaatgtcc 20 14 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 14 catgctcatc aaggatagaa tgttc 25 15 23 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 15 gacgtttggg ttatataata cac 23 16 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 16 ttgttagaag ccatctcact gacag 25 17 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 17 atgtcaataa ccatcttcct gagtg 25 18 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 18 tctaggagaa gaagccctga acttg 25 19 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 19 gagttctatg cagactctca 20 20 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 20 tcagtagttc gggagcattc agaag 25 21 18 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 21 ttctccatgc gccagaga 18 22 18 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 22 cagaggagtt ccgagaca 18 23 18 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 23 cgaggcttgt caccttct 18 24 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 24 tggccctaag tcctctggtt gtcga 25 25 18 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 25 gcttggctgc tcctaggc 18 26 23 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 26 atgtcctctc catgtaggtc gct 23 27 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 27 gttcccactt acgtccgcca 20 28 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 28 ccaagtctgt gaacacagcc tcgag 25 29 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 29 cgattgtcct ccagcgtgtc cagca 25 30 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 30 agtcatagct ctcttcagcc tccaa 25 31 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 31 ttgcactgtt acgtgtcagg agaac 25 32 14 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 32 cgtgtcagga gaac 14 33 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 33 acaggcttca ggttggcttt cctct 25 34 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 34 gaggctttgt tgggttgctc agatc 25 35 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 35 agataatagc acatgagtag actgg 25 36 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 36 catctcactg acggagtgcc tggtc 25 37 18 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 37 taatggtctt cgagagtc 18 38 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 38 ttgtacatca aggcaagttc agagt 25 39 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 39 gaagaactcc agagcttgtc acttt 25 40 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 40 tgatcagaaa ttgattggac acacc 25 41 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 41 tggtaccatt cacgattgtc ctcca 25 42 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 42 tctcggagag atcactggag agagc 25 43 25 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 43 atgtgccacc gtgaaacgcc gctgt 25 44 18 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 44 tcctacgtta catgtagt 18 45 20 DNA Artificial Sequence Synthesized Oligonucleotide 45 catatccagg aatgccttct 20 46 647 PRT human 46 Met Pro Leu Val Asp Phe Phe Cys Glu Thr Cys Ser Lys Pro Trp Leu 1 5 10 15 Val Gly Trp Trp Asp Gln Phe Lys Arg Met Leu Asn Arg Glu Leu Thr 20 25 30 His Leu Ser Glu Met Ser Arg Ser Gly Asn Gln Val Ser Glu Tyr Ile 35 40 45 Ser Thr Thr Phe Leu Asp Lys Gln Asn Glu Val Glu Ile Pro Ser Pro 50 55 60 Thr Met Lys Glu Arg Glu Lys Gln Gln Ala Pro Arg Pro Arg Pro Ser 65 70 75 80 Gln Pro Pro Pro Pro Pro Val Pro His Leu Gln Pro Met Ser Gln Ile 85 90 95 Thr Gly Leu Lys Lys Leu Met His Ser Asn Ser Leu Asn Asn Ser Asn 100 105 110 Ile Pro Arg Phe Gly Val Lys Thr Asp Gln Glu Glu Leu Leu Ala Gln 115 120 125 Glu Leu Glu Asn Leu Asn Lys Trp Gly Leu Asn Ile Phe Cys Val Ser 130 135 140 Asp Tyr Ala Gly Gly Arg Ser Leu Thr Cys Ile Met Tyr Met Ile Phe 145 150 155 160 Gln Glu Arg Asp Leu Leu Lys Lys Phe Arg Ile Pro Val Asp Thr Met 165 170 175 Val Thr Tyr Met Leu Thr Leu Glu Asp His Tyr His Ala Asp Val Ala 180 185 190 Tyr His Asn Ser Leu His Ala Ala Asp Val Leu Gln Ser Thr His Val 195 200 205 Leu Leu Ala Thr Pro Ala Leu Asp Ala Val Phe Thr Asp Leu Glu Ile 210 215 220 Leu Ala Ala Leu Phe Ala Ala Ala Ile His Asp Val Asp His Pro Gly 225 230 235 240 Val Ser Asn Gln Phe Leu Ile Asn Thr Asn Ser Glu Leu Ala Leu Met 245 250 255 Tyr Asn Asp Glu Ser Val Leu Glu Asn His His Leu Ala Val Gly Phe 260 265 270 Lys Leu Leu Gln Glu Asp Asn Cys Asp Ile Phe Gln Asn Leu Ser Lys 275 280 285 Arg Gln Arg Gln Ser Leu Arg Lys Met Val Ile Asp Met Val Leu Ala 290 295 300 Thr Asp Met Ser Lys His Met Thr Leu Leu Ala Asp Leu Lys Thr Met 305 310 315 320 Val Glu Thr Lys Lys Val Thr Ser Ser Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Asp Asn 325 330 335 Tyr Ser Asp Arg Ile Gln Val Leu Arg Asn Met Val His Cys Ala Asp 340 345 350 Leu Ser Asn Pro Thr Lys Pro Leu Glu Leu Tyr Arg Gln Trp Thr Asp 355 360 365 Arg Ile Met Ala Glu Phe Phe Gln Gln Gly Asp Arg Glu Arg Glu Arg 370 375 380 Gly Met Glu Ile Ser Pro Met Cys Asp Lys His Thr Ala Ser Val Glu 385 390 395 400 Lys Ser Gln Val Gly Phe Ile Asp Tyr Ile Val His Pro Leu Trp Glu 405 410 415 Thr Trp Ala Asp Leu Val His Pro Asp Ala Gln Glu Ile Leu Asp Thr 420 425 430 Leu Glu Asp Asn Arg Asp Trp Tyr Tyr Ser Ala Ile Arg Gln Ser Pro 435 440 445 Ser Pro Pro Pro Glu Glu Glu Ser Arg Gly Pro Gly His Pro Pro Leu 450 455 460 Pro Asp Lys Phe Gln Phe Glu Leu Thr Leu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu Glu 465 470 475 480 Glu Ile Ser Met Ala Gln Ile Pro Cys Thr Ala Gln Glu Ala Leu Thr 485 490 495 Ala Gln Gly Leu Ser Gly Val Glu Glu Ala Leu Asp Ala Thr Ile Ala 500 505 510 Trp Glu Ala Ser Pro Ala Gln Glu Ser Leu Glu Val Met Ala Gln Glu 515 520 525 Ala Ser Leu Glu Ala Glu Leu Glu Ala Val Tyr Leu Thr Gln Gln Ala 530 535 540 Gln Ser Thr Gly Ser Ala Pro Val Ala Pro Asp Glu Phe Ser Ser Arg 545 550 555 560 Glu Glu Phe Val Val Ala Val Ser His Ser Ser Pro Ser Ala Leu Ala 565 570 575 Leu Gln Ser Pro Leu Leu Pro Ala Trp Arg Thr Leu Ser Val Ser Glu 580 585 590 His Ala Pro Gly Leu Pro Gly Leu Pro Ser Thr Ala Ala Glu Val Glu 595 600 605 Ala Gln Arg Glu His Gln Ala Ala Lys Arg Ala Cys Ser Ala Cys Ala 610 615 620 Gly Thr Phe Gly Glu Asp Thr Ser Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Gly Gly Gly 625 630 635 640 Gly Ser Gly Gly Asp Pro Thr 645 47 712 PRT human 47 Met Glu Asn Leu Gly Val Gly Glu Gly Ala Glu Ala Cys Ser Arg Leu 1 5 10 15 Ser Arg Ser Arg Gly Arg His Ser Met Thr Arg Ala Pro Lys His Leu 20 25 30 Trp Arg Gln Pro Arg Arg Pro Ile Arg Ile Gln Gln Arg Phe Tyr Ser 35 40 45 Asp Pro Asp Lys Ser Ala Gly Cys Arg Glu Arg Asp Leu Ser Pro Arg 50 55 60 Pro Glu Leu Arg Lys Ser Arg Leu Ser Trp Pro Val Ser Ser Cys Arg 65 70 75 80 Arg Phe Asp Leu Glu Asn Gly Leu Ser Cys Gly Arg Arg Ala Leu Asp 85 90 95 Pro Gln Ser Ser Pro Gly Leu Gly Arg Ile Met Gln Ala Pro Val Pro 100 105 110 His Ser Gln Arg Arg Glu Ser Phe Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asp Ser Asp Tyr 115 120 125 Glu Leu Ser Pro Lys Ala Met Ser Arg Asn Ser Ser Val Ala Ser Asp 130 135 140 Leu His Gly Glu Asp Met Ile Val Thr Pro Phe Ala Gln Val Leu Ala 145 150 155 160 Ser Leu Arg Thr Val Arg Ser Asn Val Ala Ala Leu Ala Arg Gln Gln 165 170 175 Cys Leu Gly Ala Ala Lys Gln Gly Pro Val Gly Asn Pro Ser Ser Ser 180 185 190 Asn Gln Leu Pro Pro Ala Glu Asp Thr Gly Gln Lys Leu Ala Leu Glu 195 200 205 Thr Leu Asp Glu Leu Asp Trp Cys Leu Asp Gln Leu Glu Thr Leu Gln 210 215 220 Thr Arg His Ser Val Gly Glu Met Ala Ser Asn Lys Phe Lys Arg Ile 225 230 235 240 Leu Asn Arg Glu Leu Thr His Leu Ser Glu Thr Ser Arg Ser Gly Asn 245 250 255 Gln Val Ser Glu Tyr Ile Ser Arg Thr Phe Leu Asp Gln Gln Thr Glu 260 265 270 Val Glu Leu Pro Lys Val Thr Ala Glu Glu Ala Pro Gln Pro Met Ser 275 280 285 Arg Ile Ser Gly Leu His Gly Leu Cys His Ser Ala Ser Leu Ser Ser 290 295 300 Ala Thr Val Pro Arg Phe Gly Val Gln Thr Asp Gln Glu Glu Gln Leu 305 310 315 320 Ala Lys Glu Leu Glu Asp Thr Asn Lys Trp Gly Leu Asp Val Phe Lys 325 330 335 Val Ala Asp Val Ser Gly Asn Arg Pro Leu Thr Ala Ile Ile Phe Ser 340 345 350 Ile Phe Gln Glu Arg Asp Leu Leu Lys Thr Phe Gln Ile Pro Ala Asp 355 360 365 Thr Leu Ala Thr Tyr Leu Leu Met Leu Glu Gly His Tyr His Ala Asn 370 375 380 Val Ala Tyr His Asn Ser Leu His Ala Ala Asp Val Ala Gln Ser Thr 385 390 395 400 His Val Leu Leu Ala Thr Pro Ala Leu Glu Ala Val Phe Thr Asp Leu 405 410 415 Glu Ile Leu Ala Ala Leu Phe Ala Ser Ala Ile His Asp Val Asp His 420 425 430 Pro Gly Val Ser Asn Gln Phe Leu Ile Asn Thr Asn Ser Asp Val Ala 435 440 445 Leu Met Tyr Asn Asp Ala Ser Val Leu Glu Asn His His Leu Ala Val 450 455 460 Gly Phe Lys Leu Leu Gln Ala Glu Asn Cys Asp Ile Phe Gln Asn Leu 465 470 475 480 Ser Ala Lys Gln Arg Leu Ser Leu Arg Arg Met Val Ile Asp Met Val 485 490 495 Leu Ala Thr Asp Met Ser Lys His Met Asn Leu Leu Ala Asp Leu Lys 500 505 510 Thr Met Val Glu Thr Lys Lys Val Thr Ser Leu Gly Val Leu Leu Leu 515 520 525 Asp Asn Tyr Ser Asp Arg Ile Gln Val Leu Gln Asn Leu Val His Cys 530 535 540 Ala Asp Leu Ser Asn Pro Thr Lys Pro Leu Pro Leu Tyr Arg Gln Trp 545 550 555 560 Thr Asp Arg Ile Met Ala Glu Phe Phe Gln Gln Gly Asp Arg Glu Arg 565 570 575 Glu Ser Gly Leu Asp Ile Ser Pro Met Cys Asp Lys His Thr Ala Ser 580 585 590 Val Glu Lys Ser Gln Val Gly Phe Ile Asp Tyr Ile Ala His Pro Leu 595 600 605 Trp Glu Thr Trp Ala Asp Leu Val His Pro Asp Ala Gln Asp Leu Leu 610 615 620 Asp Thr Leu Glu Asp Asn Arg Glu Trp Tyr Gln Ser Lys Ile Pro Arg 625 630 635 640 Ser Pro Ser Asp Leu Thr Asn Pro Glu Arg Asp Gly Pro Asp Arg Phe 645 650 655 Gln Phe Glu Leu Thr Leu Glu Glu Ala Glu Glu Glu Asp Glu Glu Glu 660 665 670 Glu Glu Glu Gly Glu Glu Thr Ala Leu Ala Lys Glu Ala Leu Glu Leu 675 680 685 Pro Asp Thr Glu Leu Leu Ser Pro Glu Ala Gly Pro Asp Pro Gly Asp 690 695 700 Leu Pro Leu Asp Asn Gln Arg Thr 705 710 48 564 PRT human 48 Met Lys Glu His Gly Gly Thr Phe Ser Ser Thr Gly Ile Ser Gly Gly 1 5 10 15 Ser Gly Asp Ser Ala Met Asp Ser Leu Gln Pro Leu Gln Pro Asn Tyr 20 25 30 Met Pro Val Cys Leu Phe Ala Glu Glu Ser Tyr Gln Lys Leu Ala Met 35 40 45 Glu Thr Leu Glu Glu Leu Asp Trp Cys Leu Asp Gln Leu Glu Thr Ile 50 55 60 Gln Thr Tyr Arg Ser Val Ser Glu Met Ala Ser Asn Lys Phe Lys Arg 65 70 75 80 Met Leu Asn Arg Glu Leu Thr His Leu Ser Glu Met Ser Arg Ser Gly 85 90 95 Asn Gln Val Ser Glu Tyr Ile Ser Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp Lys Gln Asn 100 105 110 Asp Val Glu Ile Pro Ser Pro Thr Gln Lys Asp Arg Glu Lys Lys Lys 115 120 125 Lys Gln Gln Leu Met Thr Gln Ile Ser Gly Val Lys Lys Leu Met His 130 135 140 Ser Ser Ser Leu Asn Asn Thr Ser Ile Ser Arg Phe Gly Val Asn Thr 145 150 155 160 Glu Asn Glu Asp His Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu Glu Asp Leu Asn Lys Trp 165 170 175 Gly Leu Asn Ile Phe Asn Val Ala Gly Tyr Ser His Asn Arg Pro Leu 180 185 190 Thr Cys Ile Met Tyr Ala Ile Phe Gln Glu Arg Asp Leu Leu Lys Thr 195 200 205 Phe Arg Ile Ser Ser Asp Thr Phe Ile Thr Tyr Met Met Thr Leu Glu 210 215 220 Asp His Tyr His Ser Asp Val Ala Tyr His Asn Ser Leu His Ala Ala 225 230 235 240 Asp Val Ala Gln Ser Thr His Val Leu Leu Ser Thr Pro Ala Leu Asp 245 250 255 Ala Val Phe Thr Asp Leu Glu Ile Leu Ala Ala Ile Phe Ala Ala Ala 260 265 270 Ile His Asp Val Asp His Pro Gly Val Ser Asn Gln Phe Leu Ile Asn 275 280 285 Thr Asn Ser Glu Leu Ala Leu Met Tyr Asn Asp Glu Ser Val Leu Glu 290 295 300 Asn His His Leu Ala Val Gly Phe Lys Leu Leu Gln Glu Glu His Cys 305 310 315 320 Asp Ile Phe Met Asn Leu Thr Lys Lys Gln Arg Gln Thr Leu Arg Lys 325 330 335 Met Val Ile Asp Met Val Leu Ala Thr Asp Met Ser Lys His Met Ser 340 345 350 Leu Leu Ala Asp Leu Lys Thr Met Val Glu Thr Lys Lys Val Thr Ser 355 360 365 Ser Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Asp Asn Tyr Thr Asp Arg Ile Gln Val Leu 370 375 380 Arg Asn Met Val His Cys Ala Asp Leu Ser Asn Pro Thr Lys Ser Leu 385 390 395 400 Glu Leu Tyr Arg Gln Trp Thr Asp Arg Ile Met Glu Glu Phe Phe Gln 405 410 415 Gln Gly Asp Lys Glu Arg Glu Arg Gly Met Glu Ile Ser Pro Met Cys 420 425 430 Asp Lys His Thr Ala Ser Val Glu Lys Ser Gln Val Gly Phe Ile Asp 435 440 445 Tyr Ile Val His Pro Leu Trp Glu Thr Trp Ala Asp Leu Val Gln Pro 450 455 460 Asp Ala Gln Asp Ile Leu Asp Thr Leu Glu Asp Asn Arg Asn Trp Tyr 465 470 475 480 Gln Ser Met Ile Pro Gln Ser Pro Ser Pro Pro Leu Asp Glu Gln Asn 485 490 495 Arg Asp Cys Gln Gly Leu Met Glu Lys Phe Gln Phe Glu Leu Thr Leu 500 505 510 Asp Glu Glu Asp Ser Glu Gly Pro Glu Lys Glu Gly Glu Gly His Ser 515 520 525 Tyr Phe Ser Ser Thr Lys Thr Leu Cys Val Ile Asp Pro Glu Asn Arg 530 535 540 Asp Ser Leu Gly Glu Thr Asp Ile Asp Ile Ala Thr Glu Asp Lys Ser 545 550 555 560 Pro Val Asp Thr 49 507 PRT human 49 Met Ala Ser Asn Lys Phe Lys Arg Met Leu Asn Arg Glu Leu Thr His 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Glu Met Ser Arg Ser Gly Asn Gln Val Ser Glu Phe Ile Ser 20 25 30 Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp Lys Gln His Glu Val Glu Ile Pro Ser Pro Thr 35 40 45 Gln Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys Lys Lys Arg Pro Met Ser Gln Ile Ser Gly 50 55 60 Val Lys Lys Leu Met His Ser Ser Ser Leu Thr Asn Ser Ser Ile Pro 65 70 75 80 Arg Phe Gly Val Lys Thr Glu Gln Glu Asp Val Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu 85 90 95 Glu Asp Val Asn Lys Trp Gly Leu His Val Phe Arg Ile Ala Glu Leu 100 105 110 Ser Gly Asn Arg Pro Leu Thr Val Ile Met His Thr Ile Phe Gln Glu 115 120 125 Arg Asp Leu Leu Lys Thr Phe Lys Ile Pro Val Asp Thr Leu Ile Thr 130 135 140 Tyr Leu Met Thr Leu Glu Asp His Tyr His Ala Asp Val Ala Tyr His 145 150 155 160 Asn Asn Ile His Ala Ala Asp Val Val Gln Ser Thr His Val Leu Leu 165 170 175 Ser Thr Pro Ala Leu Glu Ala Val Phe Thr Asp Leu Glu Ile Leu Ala 180 185 190 Ala Ile Phe Ala Ser Ala Ile His Asp Val Asp His Pro Gly Val Ser 195 200 205 Asn Gln Phe Leu Ile Asn Thr Asn Ser Glu Leu Ala Leu Met Tyr Asn 210 215 220 Asp Ser Ser Val Leu Glu Asn His His Leu Ala Val Gly Phe Lys Leu 225 230 235 240 Leu Gln Glu Glu Asn Cys Asp Ile Phe Gln Asn Leu Thr Lys Lys Gln 245 250 255 Arg Gln Ser Leu Arg Lys Met Val Ile Asp Ile Val Leu Ala Thr Asp 260 265 270 Met Ser Lys His Met Asn Leu Leu Ala Asp Leu Lys Thr Met Val Glu 275 280 285 Thr Lys Lys Val Thr Ser Ser Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Asp Asn Tyr Ser 290 295 300 Asp Arg Ile Gln Val Leu Gln Asn Met Val His Cys Ala Asp Leu Ser 305 310 315 320 Asn Pro Thr Lys Pro Leu Gln Leu Tyr Arg Gln Trp Thr Asp Arg Ile 325 330 335 Met Glu Glu Phe Phe Arg Gln Gly Asp Arg Glu Arg Glu Arg Gly Met 340 345 350 Glu Ile Ser Pro Met Cys Asp Lys His Asn Ala Ser Val Glu Lys Ser 355 360 365 Gln Val Gly Phe Ile Asp Tyr Ile Val His Pro Leu Trp Glu Thr Trp 370 375 380 Ala Asp Leu Val His Pro Asp Ala Gln Asp Ile Leu Asp Thr Leu Glu 385 390 395 400 Asp Asn Arg Glu Trp Tyr Gln Ser Thr Ile Pro Gln Ser Pro Ser Pro 405 410 415 Ala Pro Asp Asp Pro Glu Glu Gly Arg Gln Gly Gln Thr Glu Lys Phe 420 425 430 Gln Phe Glu Leu Thr Leu Glu Glu Asp Gly Glu Ser Asp Thr Glu Lys 435 440 445 Asp Ser Gly Ser Gln Val Glu Glu Asp Thr Ser Cys Ser Asp Ser Lys 450 455 460 Thr Leu Arg Thr Gln Asp Ser Glu Ser Thr Glu Ile Pro Leu Asp Glu 465 470 475 480 Gln Val Glu Glu Glu Ala Val Gly Glu Glu Glu Glu Ser Gln Pro Glu 485 490 495 Ala Cys Val Ile Asp Asp Arg Ser Pro Asp Thr 500 505 50 745 PRT human 50 Met Ala Gln Gln Thr Ser Pro Asp Thr Leu Thr Val Pro Glu Val Asp 1 5 10 15 Asn Pro His Cys Pro Asn Pro Trp Leu Asn Glu Asp Leu Val Lys Ser 20 25 30 Leu Arg Glu Asn Leu Leu Gln His Glu Lys Ser Lys Thr Ala Arg Lys 35 40 45 Ser Val Ser Pro Lys Leu Ser Pro Val Ile Ser Pro Arg Asn Ser Pro 50 55 60 Arg Leu Leu Arg Arg Met Leu Leu Ser Ser Asn Ile Pro Lys Gln Arg 65 70 75 80 Arg Phe Thr Val Ala His Thr Cys Phe Asp Val Asp Asn Gly Thr Ser 85 90 95 Ala Gly Arg Ser Pro Leu Asp Pro Met Thr Ser Pro Gly Ser Gly Leu 100 105 110 Ile Leu Gln Ala Asn Phe Val His Ser Gln Arg Arg Glu Ser Phe Leu 115 120 125 Tyr Arg Ser Asp Ser Asp Tyr Asp Leu Ser Pro Lys Ser Met Ser Arg 130 135 140 Asn Ser Ser Ile Ala Ser Asp Ile His Gly Asp Asp Leu Ile Val Thr 145 150 155 160 Pro Phe Ala Gln Val Leu Ala Ser Leu Arg Thr Val Arg Asn Asn Phe 165 170 175 Ala Ala Leu Thr Asn Leu Gln Asp Arg Ala Pro Ser Lys Arg Ser Pro 180 185 190 Met Cys Asn Gln Pro Ser Ile Asn Lys Ala Thr Ile Thr Glu Glu Ala 195 200 205 Tyr Gln Lys Leu Ala Ser Glu Thr Leu Glu Glu Leu Asp Trp Cys Leu 210 215 220 Asp Gln Leu Glu Thr Leu Gln Thr Arg His Ser Val Ser Glu Met Ala 225 230 235 240 Ser Asn Lys Phe Lys Arg Met Leu Asn Arg Glu Leu Thr His Leu Ser 245 250 255 Glu Met Ser Arg Ser Gly Asn Gln Val Ser Glu Phe Ile Ser Asn Thr 260 265 270 Phe Leu Asp Lys Gln His Glu Val Glu Ile Pro Ser Pro Thr Gln Lys 275 280 285 Glu Lys Glu Lys Lys Lys Arg Pro Met Ser Gln Ile Ser Gly Val Lys 290 295 300 Lys Leu Met His Ser Ser Ser Leu Thr Asn Ser Ser Ile Pro Arg Phe 305 310 315 320 Gly Val Lys Thr Glu Gln Glu Asp Val Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu Glu Asp 325 330 335 Val Asn Lys Trp Gly Leu His Val Phe Arg Ile Ala Glu Leu Ser Gly 340 345 350 Asn Arg Pro Leu Thr Val Ile Met His Thr Ile Phe Gln Glu Arg Asp 355 360 365 Leu Leu Lys Thr Phe Lys Ile Pro Val Asp Thr Leu Ile Thr Tyr Leu 370 375 380 Met Thr Leu Glu Asp His Tyr His Ala Asp Val Ala Tyr His Asn Asn 385 390 395 400 Ile His Ala Ala Asp Val Val Gln Ser Thr His Val Leu Leu Ser Thr 405 410 415 Pro Ala Leu Glu Ala Val Phe Thr Asp Leu Glu Ile Leu Ala Ala Ile 420 425 430 Phe Ala Ser Ala Ile His Asp Val Asp His Pro Gly Val Ser Asn Gln 435 440 445 Phe Leu Ile Asn Thr Asn Ser Glu Leu Ala Leu Met Tyr Asn Asp Ser 450 455 460 Ser Val Leu Glu Asn His His Leu Ala Val Gly Phe Lys Leu Leu Gln 465 470 475 480 Glu Glu Asn Cys Asp Ile Phe Gln Asn Leu Thr Lys Lys Gln Arg Gln 485 490 495 Ser Leu Arg Lys Met Val Ile Asp Ile Val Leu Ala Thr Asp Met Ser 500 505 510 Lys His Met Asn Leu Leu Ala Asp Leu Lys Thr Met Val Glu Thr Lys 515 520 525 Lys Val Thr Ser Ser Gly Val Leu Leu Leu Asp Asn Tyr Ser Asp Arg 530 535 540 Ile Gln Val Leu Gln Asn Met Val His Cys Ala Asp Leu Ser Asn Pro 545 550 555 560 Thr Lys Pro Leu Gln Leu Tyr Arg Gln Trp Thr Asp Arg Ile Met Glu 565 570 575 Glu Phe Phe Arg Gln Gly Asp Arg Glu Arg Glu Arg Gly Met Glu Ile 580 585 590 Ser Pro Met Cys Asp Lys His Asn Ala Ser Val Glu Lys Ser Gln Val 595 600 605 Gly Phe Ile Asp Tyr Ile Val His Pro Leu Trp Glu Thr Trp Ala Asp 610 615 620 Leu Val His Pro Asp Ala Gln Asp Ile Leu Asp Thr Leu Glu Asp Asn 625 630 635 640 Arg Glu Trp Tyr Gln Ser Thr Ile Pro Gln Ser Pro Ser Pro Ala Pro 645 650 655 Asp Asp Pro Glu Glu Gly Arg Gln Gly Gln Thr Glu Lys Phe Gln Phe 660 665 670 Glu Leu Thr Leu Glu Glu Asp Gly Glu Ser Asp Thr Glu Lys Asp Ser 675 680 685 Gly Ser Gln Val Glu Glu Asp Thr Ser Cys Ser Asp Ser Lys Thr Leu 690 695 700 Cys Thr Gln Asp Ser Glu Ser Thr Glu Ile Pro Leu Asp Glu Gln Val 705 710 715 720 Glu Glu Glu Ala Val Gly Glu Glu Glu Glu Ser Gln Pro Glu Ala Cys 725 730 735 Val Ile Asp Asp Arg Ser Pro Asp Thr 740 745 51 673 PRT human 51 Met Met His Val Asn Asn Phe Pro Phe Arg Arg His Ser Trp Ile Cys 1 5 10 15 Phe Asp Val Asp Asn Gly Thr Ser Ala Gly Arg Ser Pro Leu Asp Pro 20 25 30 Met Thr Ser Pro Gly Ser Gly Leu Ile Leu Gln Ala Asn Phe Val His 35 40 45 Ser Gln Arg Arg Glu Ser Phe Leu Tyr Arg Ser Asp Ser Asp Tyr Asp 50 55 60 Leu Ser Pro Lys Ser Met Ser Arg Asn Ser Ser Ile Ala Ser Asp Ile 65 70 75 80 His Gly Asp Asp Leu Ile Val Thr Pro Phe Ala Gln Val Leu Ala Ser 85 90 95 Leu Arg Thr Val Arg Asn Asn Phe Ala Ala Leu Thr Asn Leu Gln Asp 100 105 110 Arg Ala Pro Ser Lys Arg Ser Pro Met Cys Asn Gln Pro Ser Ile Asn 115 120 125 Lys Ala Thr Ile Thr Glu Glu Ala Tyr Gln Lys Leu Ala Ser Glu Thr 130 135 140 Leu Glu Glu Leu Asp Trp Cys Leu Asp Gln Leu Glu Thr Leu Gln Thr 145 150 155 160 Arg His Ser Val Ser Glu Met Ala Ser Asn Lys Phe Lys Arg Met Leu 165 170 175 Asn Arg Glu Leu Thr His Leu Ser Glu Met Ser Arg Ser Gly Asn Gln 180 185 190 Val Ser Glu Phe Ile Ser Asn Thr Phe Leu Asp Lys Gln His Glu Val 195 200 205 Glu Ile Pro Ser Pro Thr Gln Lys Glu Lys Glu Lys Lys Lys Arg Pro 210 215 220 Met Ser Gln Ile Ser Gly Val Lys Lys Leu Met His Ser Ser Ser Leu 225 230 235 240 Thr Asn Ser Ser Ile Pro Arg Phe Gly Val Lys Thr Glu Gln Glu Asp 245 250 255 Val Leu Ala Lys Glu Leu Glu Asp Val Asn Lys Trp Gly Leu His Val 260 265 270 Phe Arg Ile Ala Glu Leu Ser Gly Asn Arg Pro Leu Thr Val Ile Met 275 280 285 His Thr Ile Phe Gln Glu Arg Asp Leu Leu Lys Thr Phe Lys Ile Pro 290 295 300 Val Asp Thr Leu Ile Thr Tyr Leu Met Thr Leu Glu Asp His Tyr His 305 310 315 320 Ala Asp Val Ala Tyr His Asn Asn Ile His Ala Ala Asp Val Val Gln 325 330 335 Ser Thr His Val Leu Leu Ser Thr Pro Ala Leu Glu Ala Val Phe Thr 340 345 350 Asp Leu Glu Ile Leu Ala Ala Ile Phe Ala Ser Ala Ile His Asp Val 355 360 365 Asp His Pro Gly Val Ser Asn Gln Phe Leu Ile Asn Thr Asn Ser Glu 370 375 380 Leu Ala Leu Met Tyr Asn Asp Ser Ser Val Leu Glu Asn His His Leu 385 390 395 400 Ala Val Gly Phe Lys Leu Leu Gln Glu Glu Asn Cys Asp Ile Phe Gln 405 410 415 Asn Leu Thr Lys Lys Gln Arg Gln Ser Leu Arg Lys Met Val Ile Asp 420 425 430 Ile Val Leu Ala Thr Asp Met Ser Lys His Met Asn Leu Leu Ala Asp 435 440 445 Leu Lys Thr Met Val Glu Thr Lys Lys Val Thr Ser Ser Gly Val Leu 450 455 460 Leu Leu Asp Asn Tyr Ser Asp Arg Ile Gln Val Leu Gln Asn Met Val 465 470 475 480 His Cys Ala Asp Leu Ser Asn Pro Thr Lys Pro Leu Gln Leu Tyr Arg 485 490 495 Gln Trp Thr Asp Arg Ile Met Glu Glu Phe Phe Arg Gln Gly Asp Arg 500 505 510 Glu Arg Glu Arg Gly Met Glu Ile Ser Pro Met Cys Asp Lys His Asn 515 520 525 Ala Ser Val Glu Lys Ser Gln Val Gly Phe Ile Asp Tyr Ile Val His 530 535 540 Pro Leu Trp Glu Thr Trp Ala Asp Leu Val His Pro Asp Ala Gln Asp 545 550 555 560 Ile Leu Asp Thr Leu Glu Asp Asn Arg Glu Trp Tyr Gln Ser Thr Ile 565 570 575 Pro Gln Ser Pro Ser Pro Ala Pro Asp Asp Pro Glu Glu Gly Arg Gln 580 585 590 Gly Gln Thr Glu Lys Phe Gln Phe Glu Leu Thr Leu Glu Glu Asp Gly 595 600 605 Glu Ser Asp Thr Glu Lys Asp Ser Gly Ser Gln Val Glu Glu Asp Thr 610 615 620 Ser Cys Ser Asp Ser Lys Thr Leu Cys Thr Gln Asp Ser Glu Ser Thr 625 630 635 640 Glu Ile Pro Leu Asp Glu Gln Val Glu Glu Glu Ala Val Gly Glu Glu 645 650 655 Glu Glu Ser Gln Pro Glu Ala Cys Val Ile Asp Asp Arg Ser Pro Asp 660 665 670 Thr 

What is claimed is:
 1. An acid resistant oligonucleotide targeted to an RNA encoding a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) protein selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:50 and SEQ ID NO:51, said oligonucleotide comprising: a polymer of nucleotides, said polymer having a nucleic acid backbone structure modified from that of a naturally occurring nucleotide polymer; and a blocking chemical modification at or near at least the 3′ end of the polymer, wherein the oligonucleotide is characterized by a pH stability of at least one hour at a pH of about 0.01 to about 10 and a nuclease resistance of at least twice that of a naturally occurring polymer having the same number of nucleotides.
 2. The oligonucleotide of claim 1, wherein the oligonucleotide has from about one to about 100 nucleotides.
 3. The oligonucleotide of claim 1, wherein the oligonucleotide is completely or partially derivatized by a chemical moiety selected from the group consisting of: phosphodiester linkages, phosphotriester linkages, phosphoramidate linkages, siloxane linkages, carbonate linkages, carboxymethylester linkages, acetamidate linkages, carbamate linkages, thioether linkages, bridged phosphoramidate linkages, bridged methylene phosphonate linkages, phosphorothioate linkages, methylphosphonate linkages, phosphorodithioate linkages, morpholino, bridged phosphorothioate linkages, sulfone intemucleotide linkages, 3′-3′ linkages, 5′-2′ linkages, 5′-5′ linkages, 2′-deoxy-erythropentofuranosyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-alkyl nucleotides, 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl) phosphodiesters, 2′-O-methyl nucleotides, morpholino linkages, p-ethoxy oligonucleotides, PNA linkages, p-isopropyl oligonucleotides, butanol, butyl, and phosphoramidates
 4. The oligonucleotide of claim 1, wherein the oligonucleotide has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 1; SEQ ID NO: 2; SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5; SEQ ID NO: 6; SEQ ID NO: 7; SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9; SEQ ID NO: 10; SEQ ID NO: 11; SEQ ID NO: 12; SEQ ID NO: 13; SEQ ID NO: 14; SEQ ID NO: 15; SEQ ID NO: 16; SEQ ID NO: 17; SEQ ID NO: 18; SEQ ID NO: 19; SEQ ID NO: 20; SEQ ID NO: 21; SEQ ID NO: 22; SEQ ID NO: 23; SEQ ID NO: 24; SEQ ID NO: 25; SEQ ID NO: 26; SEQ ID NO: 27; SEQ ID NO: 28; SEQ ID NO: 29; SEQ ID NO: 30; SEQ ID NO: 31; SEQ ID NO: 32; SEQ ID NO: 33; SEQ ID NO: 34; SEQ ID NO: 35; SEQ ID NO: 36; SEQ ID NO: 37; SEQ ID NO: 38; SEQ ID NO: 39; SEQ ID NO: 40; SEQ ID NO: 41; SEQ ID NO: 42; SEQ ID NO: 43; SEQ ID NO: 44; and SEQ ID NO:
 45. 5. The oligonucleotide of claim 1, wherein the oligonucleotide binds selectively to exon/intron boundaries and splice sites of RNA.
 6. The oligonucleotide of claim 1, wherein the oligonucleotide binds selectively to an mRNA encoding a phosphodiesterase E4 protein.
 7. An acid resistant oligonucleotide that binds selectively to DNA involved in phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) expression, said oligonucleotide comprising: a polymer of nucleotides, said polymer having a nucleic acid backbone structure modified from that of a naturally occurring nucleotide polymer; and a blocking chemical modification at or near at least the 3′ end of the polymer; wherein the oligonucleotide is characterized by a pH stability of at least one hour at a pH of about 0.1 to about 10 and a nuclease resistance of at least twice that of a naturally occurring polymer having the same number of nucleotides.
 8. The oligonucleotide of claim 7, wherein the DNA is selected from the group consisting of: PDE4 coding sequences, PDE4 promoter sequences, and PDE4 enhancer sequences.
 9. The oligonucleotide of claim 7, wherein the oligonucleotide has from about one to about 100 nucleotides.
 10. The oligonucleotide of claim 7, wherein the oligonucleotide is completely or partially derivatized by a chemical moiety selected from the group consisting of: phosphodiester linkages, phosphotriester linkages, phosphoramidate linkages, siloxane linkages, carbonate linkages, carboxymethylester linkages, acetamidate linkages, carbamate linkages, thioether linkages, bridged phosphoramidate linkages, bridged methylene phosphonate linkages, phosphorothioate linkages, methylphosphonate linkages, phosphorodithioate linkages, morpholino, bridged phosphorothioate linkages, sulfone internucleotide linkages, 3′-3′ linkages, 5′-2′ linkages, 5′-5′ linkages, 2′-deoxy-erythropentofuranosyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-alkyl nucleotides, 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl) phosphodiesters, 2′-O-methyl nucleotides, morpholino linkages, p-ethoxy oligonucleotides, PNA linkages, p-isopropyl oligonucleotides, butanol, butyl, and phosphoramidates.
 11. A pharmaceutical composition comprised of an acid resistant oligonucleotide that binds selectively to an mRNA encoding a phosphodiesterase 4 protein, said oligonucleotide comprising a polymer having a nucleic acid backbone structure modified from that of a naturally occurring nucleotide polymer and a blocking chemical modification at or near at least one end of the polymer; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; wherein the oligonucleotide is characterized by a pH stability of at least one hour at a pH of about 0.01 to about 10 and a nuclease resistance of at least twice that of a naturally occurring polymer having the same number of nucleotides.
 12. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 11, wherein the nucleic acid is an oligonucleotide having from about one to about 100 nucleotides.
 13. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12, wherein said nucleic acid is linked to a compound selected from the group consisting of protein, amino acid, lipid, sugar, glycoprotein, antibiotic, organic compound, organometallic compound, steroid, and metal.
 14. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 11, wherein said nucleic acid is protonated.
 15. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 11, wherein the oligonucleotide has been protonated/acidified to have a pH at or below
 7. 16. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 11, wherein the nucleic acid is encapsulated in a liposome.
 17. A pharmaceutical composition comprised of an acid resistant oligonucleotide that binds selectively to DNA involved in phosphodiesterase 4 expression, said oligonucleotide comprising a polymer having a nucleic acid backbone structure modified from that of a naturally occurring nucleotide polymer and a blocking chemical modification at or near at least one end of the polymer; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; wherein the oligonucleotide is characterized by a pH stability of at least one hour at a pH of about
 0. 1 to about 10 and a nuclease resistance of at least twice that of a naturally occurring polymer having the same number of nucleotides.
 18. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 17, wherein the nucleic acid is an oligonucleotide having from about one to about 100 nucleotides.
 19. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 17, wherein said nucleic acid is linked to a compound selected from the group consisting of protein, amino acid, lipid, sugar, glycoprotein, antibiotic, organic compound, organometallic compound, steroid, and metal.
 20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 17, wherein said nucleic acid is protonated.
 21. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 20, wherein the oligonucleotide has been protonated/acidified to have a pH at or below
 7. 22. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 17, wherein the nucleic acid is encapsulated in a liposome.
 23. A method of treating a mammal comprising topically administering to a site of need a therapeutically effective amount of an acid resistant oligonucleotide that binds selectively to an mRNA encoding a phosphodiesterase 4 protein, said oligonucleotide comprising a polymer having a nucleic acid backbone structure modified from that of a naturally occurring nucleotide polymer and a blocking chemical modification at or near at least the 3′ end of the polymer; wherein the oligonucleotide is characterized by a pH stability of at least one hour at a pH of about 0.01 to about 10 and a nuclease resistance of at least twice that of a naturally occurring polymer having the same number of nucleotides.
 24. The method of claim 11, wherein the polymer is completely or partially derivatized by a chemical moiety selected from the group consisting of: phosphodiester linkages, phosphotriester linkages, phosphoramidate linkages, siloxane linkages, carbonate linkages, carboxymethylester linkages, acetamidate linkages, carbamate linkages, thioether linkages, bridged phosphoramidate linkages, bridged methylene phosphonate linkages, phosphorothioate linkages, methylphosphonate linkages, phosphorodithioate linkages, morpholino, bridged phosphorothioate and/or sulfone internucleotide linkages, 3′-3′ linkages, 2′-5′ linkages, 5′-5′ linkages, 2′-deoxy-erythropentofuranosyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-alkyl nucleotides, 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl) phosphodiesters, 2′-O-methyl nucleotides, morpholino linkages, p-ethoxy oligonucleotides, PNA linkages, p-isopropyl oligonucleotides, butanol, butyl, and phosphoramidates.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the oligonucleotide is protonated.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the PDE4 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:50 and SEQ ID NO:51.
 27. The method of claim 23 wherein the oligonucleotide is administered to a mammal suffering from a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of: atopic dermatitis, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, T cell mediated dermatitis, B-cell mediated dermatitis, and acute wheal and flare reaction.
 28. A method of treating a mammal comprising topically administering to a site of need a therapeutically effective amount of an acid resistant oligonucleotide that binds selectively to DNA involved in phosphodiesterase 4 expression, said oligonucleotide comprising a polymer having a nucleic acid backbone structure modified from that of a naturally occurring nucleotide polymer and a blocking chemical modification at or near at least the 3′ end of the polymer; wherein the oligonucleotide is characterized by a pH stability of at least one hour at a pH of about 0.1 to about 10 and a nuclease resistance of at least twice that of a naturally occurring polymer having the same number of nucleotides.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the DNA involved in phosphodiesterase 4 expression is selected from the group consisting of: PDE4 coding sequences, PDE4 promoter sequences, and PDE4 enhancer sequences.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the polymer is completely or partially derivatized by a chemical moiety selected from the group consisting of: phosphodiester linkages, phosphotriester linkages, phosphoramidate linkages, siloxane linkages, carbonate linkages, carboxymethylester linkages, acetamidate linkages, carbamate linkages, thioether linkages, bridged phosphoramidate linkages, bridged methylene phosphonate linkages, phosphorothioate linkages, methylphosphonate linkages, phosphorodithioate linkages, morpholino, bridged phosphorothioate and/or sulfone internucleotide linkages, 3′-3′ linkages, 2′-5′ linkages, 5′-5′ linkages, 2′-deoxy-erythropentofuranosyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-alkyl nucleotides, 2′-O-methyl nucleotides, 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl) phosphodiesters, morpholino linkages, p-ethoxy oligonucleotides, PNA linkages, p-isopropyl oligonucleotides, butanol, butyl, and phosphoramidates and phosphoramidates.
 31. The method of claim 28, wherein the oligonucleotide is protonated.
 32. A method of treating a mammal comprising intranasally administering a therapeutically effective amount of an acid resistant oligonucleotide that binds selectively to an mRNA encoding a phosphodiesterase 4 protein, said oligonucleotide comprising a polymer having a nucleic acid backbone structure modified from that of a naturally occurring nucleotide polymer and a blocking chemical modification at or near at least the 3′ end of the polymer; wherein the oligonucleotide is characterized by a pH stability of at least one hour at a pH of about 0.01 to about 10 and a nuclease resistance of at least twice that of a naturally occurring polymer having the same number of nucleotides.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the polymer is completely or partially derivatized by a chemical moiety selected from the group consisting of: phosphodiester linkages, phosphotriester linkages, phosphoramidate linkages, siloxane linkages, carbonate linkages, carboxymethylester linkages, acetamidate linkages, carbamate linkages, thioether linkages, bridged phosphoramidate linkages, bridged methylene phosphonate linkages, phosphorothioate linkages, methylphosphonate linkages, phosphorodithioate linkages, morpholino, bridged phosphorothioate and/or sulfone intemucleotide linkages, 3′-3′ linkages, 2′-5′ linkages, 5′-5′ linkages, 2′-deoxy-erythropentofuranosyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-alkyl nucleotides, 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl) phosphodiesters, 2′-O-methyl nucleotides, morpholino linkages, p-ethoxy oligonucleotides, PNA linkages, p-isopropyl oligonucleotides, butanol, butyl, and phosphoramidates.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein the oligonucleotide is protonated.
 35. The method of claim 32, wherein the PDE4 is selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:50 and SEQ ID NO:51.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the oligonucleotide has a sequence selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 1; SEQ ID NO: 2; SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5; SEQ ID NO: 6; SEQ ID NO: 7; SEQ ID NO: 8; SEQ ID NO: 9; SEQ ID NO: 10; SEQ ID NO: 11; SEQ ID NO: 12; SEQ ID NO: 13; SEQ ID NO: 14; SEQ ID NO: 15; SEQ ID NO: 16; SEQ ID NO: 17; SEQ ID NO: 18; SEQ ID NO: 19; SEQ ID NO: 20; SEQ ID NO: 21; SEQ ID NO: 22; SEQ ID NO: 23; SEQ ID NO: 24; SEQ ID NO: 25; SEQ ID NO: 26; SEQ ID NO: 27; SEQ ID NO: 28; SEQ ID NO: 29; SEQ ID NO: 30; SEQ ID NO: 31; SEQ ID NO: 32; SEQ ID NO: 33; SEQ ID NO: 34; SEQ ID NO: 35; SEQ ID NO: 36; SEQ ID NO: 37; SEQ ID NO: 38; SEQ ID NO: 39; SEQ ID NO: 40; SEQ ID NO: 41; SEQ ID NO: 42; SEQ ID NO: 43; SEQ ID NO: 44; and SEQ ID NO:
 45. 37. The method of claim 35, wherein the oligonucleotide is administered to a mammal suffering from a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of: atopic dermatitis, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, T cell mediated dermatitis, B-cell mediated dermatitis, and acute wheal and flare reaction.
 38. A method of treating a mammal comprising intranasally administering a therapeutically effective amount of an acid resistant oligonucleotide that binds selectively to DNA involved in phosphodiesterase 4 expression, said oligonucleotide comprising a polymer having a nucleic acid backbone structure modified from that of a naturally occurring nucleotide polymer and a blocking chemical modification at or near at least the 3′ end of the polymer; wherein the oligonucleotide is characterized by a pH stability of at least one hour at a pH of about 0.1 to about 10 and a nuclease resistance of at least twice that of a naturally occurring-polymer having the same number of nucleotides.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the DNA involved in phosphodiesterase 4 expression is selected from the group consisting of: PDE4 coding sequences, PDE4 promoter sequences, and PDE4 enhancer sequences.
 40. The method of claim 38, wherein the polymer is completely or partially derivatized by a chemical moiety selected from the group consisting of: phosphodiester linkages, phosphotriester linkages, phosphoramidate linkages, siloxane linkages, carbonate linkages, carboxymethylester linkages, acetamidate linkages, carbamate linkages, thioether linkages, bridged phosphoramidate linkages, bridged methylene phosphonate linkages, phosphorothioate linkages, methylphosphonate linkages, phosphorodithioate linkages, morpholino, bridged phosphorothioate and/or sulfone intemucleotide linkages, 3′-3′ linkages, 2′-5′ linkages, 5′-5′ linkages, 2′-deoxy-erythropentofuranosyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-alkyl nucleotides, 2′-O-methyl nucleotides, 2′-O-alkyl-n(O-alkyl) phosphodiesters, morpholino linkages, p-ethoxy oligonucleotides, PNA linkages, p-isopropyl oligonucleotides, butanol, butyl, and phosphoramidates and phosphoramidates.
 41. The method of claim 38, wherein the oligonucleotide is protonated. 